Spool winding method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method of enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric source comprises providing a slackened displaceable loop in the fabric between the spool and fabric source, displacing the loop between first and second sensing positions, and controlling rotation of the spool in response to the presence of the loop at one or the other of the sensing positions. The apparatus for effecting the method includes a support assembly for moving the spool laterally of the axis of rotation thereof into and out of engagement with a driven friction roller.

United States Patent Rogow [451 Aug. 15, 1972 SPOOL WINDING METHOD AND APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Charles Martin Rogow, 1230 Norton Dr., Farrockaway, NY. 11691 [22] Filed: Nov. 13, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 89,369

[52] US. Cl. ..242/67.2 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 17/02 [58] Field of Search ..242/65, 67.4, 75.4, 185, 76

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,862,675 12/ 1958 MacDonald ..242/185 2,990,127 6/1961 Cannings. ..242/185 2,766,950 10/1956 Speed et a1. ..242/76 3,086,726 4/1963 Aaron ..242/65 Primary Examinerbeonard D. Christian Attorney-Philip Sands ABSTRACT A method of enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric source comprises providing a slackened displaceable loop in the fabric between the spool and fabric source, displacing the loop between first and second sensing positions, and controlling rotation of the spool in response to the presence of the loop at one or the other of the sensing positions. The apparatus for eflecting the method includes asupport assembly for moving the spool laterally of the axis of rotation thereof into and out of engagement with a driven friction roller.

21 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED I973 3.684.205

sum 1 0f 2 FABRIC INYENTOR. CHARLES MART IN ROGOW PATENTED M18 1 5 9 3.684.205

, sum 2 or 2 I" INTOR. CHARLES MA N ROGOW BY Q E ATTORNEY SPOOL WINDING METHOD AND APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to fabric manufacturing and handling, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric source.

The conventional manner by which fabric is wound upon a spool, as the fabric is manufactured, is to support a spool on a fixed axis of rotation and rotate the spool at a substantially fixed rate corresponding substantially to the rate of feed at which the fabric is manufactured. However, it has proved to be extremely difficult to accurately correlate the rate of rotation of the spool with that of the rate of feed at which the fabric is manufactured. This is because the rate of feed is constant although the periods of feed are intermittent. The spool, however, supported on a fixed axis of rotation, is generally driven at a constant rate about its axis of rotation, yet its peripheral speed constantly changes since, as the fabric is wound about the spool, the diameter of the fabric enwrapped spool increases, and, therefore, the peripheral speed of spool, which is a function of the spool diameter, constantly increases.

It is significant to point out at this stage that as the peripheral speed of the fabric enwrapped spool increases, the fabric exerts a pull on both the spool and on the fabric manufacturing machine, particularly at the needles and operative fabric producing elements of the machine. As a result the fabric is distorted due to the tension therein and effects a reduction in the control and quality of the fabric manufactured subsequently. Furthermore, the tensioned fabric causes the spool to slip relative to its rotary support through the axis of rotation thereof. It is obvious, therefore, that there is an effective maximum limitation on the size of the fabric enwrapped spool thus requiring numerous and inconvenient spool changing. It is an object of the present invention to obviate these difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to apparatus for effecting the method of enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric source. The apparatus includes means for maintaining a slackened displaceable loop in the fabric between the spool and fabric source. Means are provided for displacing the loop between first and second sensing devices. Drive means are provided for rotating the spool, and control means are interposed between the drive means and sensing means for controlling the rotation of the spool.

It is an object of the present invention to enwrap a spool with fabric in a substantially independent manner from that of the rate of feed from the fabric source.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a slackened displaceable loop in the fabric between the fabricsource and spool, and to utilize a sensing of the loop as it displaces between extreme positions to control the rotation of the spool.

It is still a further object of the invention to support the spool in a manner such that it is displaceable laterally of the axis of rotation thereof into and out of engagement with a drive roller so that the spool may be rotated intermittently as required.

It is a further object of the invention to obviate increasing tension in the fabric between the fabric source and spool as the fabric enwrapped spool increases in diameter.

It is still a further object to eliminate the necessity of frequent spool changing.

It is a further object to eliminate all interference of the fabric winding operation with that of the fabric producing operation.

It is another object to enwrap the spool with fabric with a substantially constant or uniform tension.

It is another object to substantially correlate the intermittent periods of fabric winding with that of the intermittent periods of fabric feed.

It is still a further object to freely support the spool so that it can be removed without tools and without dismantling the apparatus.

It is a further object to provide a plurality of independent spools having different diameters, each of which is operatively associated respectively with a plurality of fabric sources simultaneously.

It is still another object to support the spool relative to the fabric source in a horizontal attitude at an infinitely variable vertical positions.

It is still a further object to provide an apparatus which is arranged simply and manufactured economically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objects and advantages in view as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic view illustrating the operative members of the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents an enlarged perspective view illustrating the slackened displaceable loop and its operative association with one of the sensing switches of the invention; and

FIG. 3 represents a side view of a portion of the base supporting a plurality of spools independently from one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the apparatus, according to the invention, comprises an arrangement for winding fabric 11, such as cloth of natural or synthetic fibers and the like, issuing from a fabric producing machine 12 through the take-down rollers 13 of the latter and tension rollers 14 onto the spool 15. g

A slackened displaceable loop 16 is provided in the fabric 11 between the take-down rollers 13 and tension rollers 14. A loop maintaining roller 17 rests freely in the loop 16 between the limbs of the latter so that the spacing between the limbs, i.e. the configuration of the loop 16, is maintained constant. The roller 17 exerts a downward force on the loop 16 and functions in a manner as will be described below.

The spool 15 rests freely on a base member 18 such that the periphery of the spool 15 is in constant contact with the shoulder 19 of the base member 18.

A friction roller drive 20 is rotatably driven on the base member 18 and is situated thereon so as to be peripherally engageable by the spool 15. In the case of the preferred embodiment, the friction roller drive 20 is continuously driven by means not shown in the drawings. I

A pivotallever 21 having opposite lever arms 22 and 23 and pivotally supported between the latter arms thereof at 24 is positioned adjacent the base member 18 such that the periphery of the spool also rests freely on the lever arm 23. The lever 21 is pivotally displaceable so that the periphery of the spool 15 can be carried selectively into and out of engagement with the friction roller drive 20.

A power cylinder 25, having a displaceable plunger 26, is positioned such that the plunger 26 is operatively associated with the lever arm 23, the plunger 26 being actuated upon activation of a solenoid valve (not shown in the drawings) associated with the power cylinder 25. A spring 27 is operatively associated with the lever arm 22 to bias the lever 21 into a normally atrest position such that the periphery of the spool 15 is held away from the friction roller drive 20.

A switching arrangement comprising five switches 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32, each including an actuation lever respectively, are electrically coupled such that switches 28- and 29 are coupled with one another, switches 30 and 31 are coupled with one another, switch 31 is coupled with thefabric making machine through the intermediary of the motor 33, switch 32 is coupled with both the switches 28 and 29, and switches 28 and 32 are coupled with the solenoid valve of the power cylirid'erj25. Switches 29 and 30 are coupled with an electrical power source at one terminal of the latter, whereas the solenoid valve of the power cylinder 25 and the motor 33 are coupled with the other terminal of the power source. Switches 28 and 32 are normally oper'i, whereas switches 29; 30, and 31 are normally closed.

In operation, the apparatus operates as follows:

As the fabric-11'ism'anpfactured, the weight of the roller urgesltlieloop to move downwardly along a vertical loop guide 34, the tension rollers 14 maintaining prescrihedltensionyin the loop. The elongated length of roller" 1 7.is greater than that of the width of the fabric 11 .betweenthe edges thereof, as shown in FIG. 2, and as the loop 16 moves downwardly along the loop guide 34, the exposed portion 35 of the roller 17 contacts the actuation lever of switch 28 to close the latter switch from its normally open position. The closure of switch 28 activates the solenoid valve of the power cylinder 25, The plunger 26 pivotally displaces the lever 21 downwardly such that the periphery of the spool 15 contacts the friction roller drive 20, upon displacement of the spool 15 laterally of the axis of rotation thereof, so as to be rotated by the latter. As the spool 15 is rotated, the fabric is wound thereon and the fabric loop 16 begins to ascend. The roller and the diametral portion of the spool 15 in contact with the roller are associated such that the fabric is wound on the spool 15 at a faster rate than that at which it is produced. Upon the aforementioned displacement of the lever '21," the arm 22 of the latter contacts the switch 32 and closes the latter from its normally open position. As the loop 16 ascends, switch 28 is again opened, but because of the closure of switch 32, the latter acts as an interlock and passes current to the solenoid valve of the power cylinder to maintain the lever 21 in its displaced condition with the spool 15 in contact with the friction roller drive 20. As a result, the spool 15 continues to rotate and the loop 16 continues to ascend. When the loop 16 contacts the switch 29, the latter is opened from its normally closed position thereby breaking the circuit to the interlock switch 32. The latter is then returned to its normally open position as the solenoid valve of the power cylinder 25 is deenergized and the lever 21 is returned by spring 27 to its at-rest position. The arm 23 of the lever 21 carries the spool 15 away from the roller drive 20 while the arm 22 of the lever 21 contacts the actuation lever of the switch 32.

Rotation of the spool 15 is thus discontinued and the loop 16 no longer ascends. As the fabric making machine produces more fabric, the loop 16 begins to descend and switch 29 is then returned to its normally closed position due to the cooperation of the exposed portion 35 of the roller 17 with the actuation lever of the switch 29.

Switches 30 and 31 are provided as safety switches such that should the loop 16, for some reason such as mechanical or electrical failure, continue to ascend or descend beyond switches 29 or 28 respectively, switches 30 or 31, which are electrically coupled with the motor 33 of the fabric making machine 12, would be opened from their normally closed positions and cause immediate shut-down of the apparatus and the fabric making machine 12, this upon contact of the exposed portion 35 of the roller 17 with the actuation levers of the switches 30 or 31 respectively.

As may be appreciated, as shown partly in FIG. 3, a plurality of spools 15 may be supported on the base member 18 to be driven by the common friction drive roller 20, and cooperable respectively with a plurality of independent fabric producing sources, loop sensers and levers 21. Thesespools should have diametral portions equal in diameter to one another for contacting the common roller 20, although the diameter of their respective diametral portions upon which the fabric is would may differ from one another.

It is clear that the above operation is intermittently repetitive and safety-proof. Fabric is wound on the spool as a function of the length of the slackened displaceable loop and is not dependent upon the rate of production of fabric directly. The apparatus of the invention is thus greatly independent and provides for all of the above advantages aforementioned.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only, and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric producing source, said apparatus comprising means for maintaining a slackened displaceable loop in said fabric between said spool and said fabric source, means for displacing said loop between first and second positions, sensing means for sensing the presence or absence of said loop at said first and second positions, drive means for rotating said spool, and control means interposed between said drive means and said sensing means and responsive to said sensing means for controlling the rotation of said spool; said displaceable loop being constituted by a pair of opposing limbs, said means for displacing said loop including an elongate element carried by said loop between the limbs of the latter to maintain the configuration of said loop substantially constant and to exert a downwardly directed force on said loop; said sensing means including first and second switches at said first and second positions respectively, each operatively associated with said displaceable loop for activation and deactivation thereby, and third and fourth switches between which are interposed said first and second switches; said third and fourth switches constituting safety switches and operatively associated with said fabric source for deactivating the latter from producing fabric upon movement of said displaceable loop beyond said first or second positions into operative association with one or the other of said safety switches.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining the displaceable loop in the fabric includes a plurality of guiding surfaces interposed between the fabric and spool, said loop being loosely interposed between said guiding surfaces.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including a further guiding surface, said loop being freely suspended for movement along said further guiding surface.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said further guiding surface is vertically disposed for guiding said loop vertically between said first and second positions.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the extent of' said fabric between opposite edges thereof is less thanthe elongate length of said elongate element such that a portion of said elongate element is exposed, said switches being engageable by the exposed portion of said elongate element.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spool has an, axis of rotation, said control means including support means for displacing said spool laterally of the axis of rotation thereof to selectively bring the periphery of the spool into and out of engagement with said drive means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said drive means includes a friction roller and means for rotating the latter, the periphery of the friction roller being engageable by the periphery of the spool.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said support means includes a lever having opposite ends and pivotally supported between the ends thereof, one end of said lever beingengageable with the periphery of the spool, and power means for selectively displacing said lever pivotally to bring the periphery of the spool into and out of engagement with said friction roller.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said power meanscomprises a power cylinder including a displaceable member operatively associated with said lever.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including resilient means connected to said lever and acting on said lever in opposition to said power means.

1 1. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including a base, said base including opposite end portions, said friction roller being fotatably supported at one end portion of said base, said lever being interposed between said one end portion and the periphery of said spool, the other end portion of said base including a shoulder in constant contact with the periphery of said spool.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second switches are electrically coupled to one another, and wherein said third and fourth switches are electrically coupled to one another.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said fourth safety switch is electrically coupled with said fabric source.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including a fifth switch engageable by said control means for activation thereby and electrically coupled with said first and second switches, said fifth switch acting as an interlock upon activation thereof for controlling the rotation of said spool after deactivation of said first switch by said displaceable loop.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said control means includes a solenoid electrically coupled with said first and fifth switches.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said first and fifth switches are normally open, and said second, third and fourth switches are normally closed.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 including a plurality of spools operatively supported on said base and operatively associated independently with a plurality of fabric producing sources respectively.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in combination with-the fabric producing source, said source comprising a machine for manufacturing the fabric.

19. Apparatus for winding a fabric spool, said apparatus comprising drive means, and control means for selectively displacing said spool laterally of the axis of rotation thereof into and out of engagement with said drive means, said control means including a pivotally displaceable lever in contact with the periphery of said spool. Y

20. A method of enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric producing source, said method comprising providing a slackened displaceable loop in said fabric between said spool and said fabric source, displacing said displaceable loop between first and second sensing positions, sensing the presence of said displaceable loop at said first or second sensing positions, controlling rotation of said spool in response to the presence of said displaceable loop at said first or second sensing positions, and displacing said spool laterally of the axis of rotation thereof into peripheral contact with a driven friction roller when said loop is at said first sensing position.

21. Apparatus for enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric producing source, said apparatus comprising means for maintaining a slackened displaceable loop in said fabric between said spool and said fabric source, means for displacing said loop between first and second positions, sensing means for sensing the presence or absence of said loop at said first and second positions, drive means for rotating said spool, and control means interposed between said drive means and said sensing means and responsive to said sensing means for controlling the rotation of said spool; said displaceable loop being constituted by a pair of opposing limbs, said means for displacing said loop including an elongate element carried by said loop between the limbs of the latter to maintain the configuthereby, have a partially exposed portion; said partially exposed portion of said elongate element being operatively associated with said first and second electrical switches for mechanically activating and deactivating the latter when said elongate element is carried into and out of engagement with said switches by said loop. 

1. Apparatus for enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric producing source, said apparatus comprising means for maintaining a slackened displaceable loop in said fabric between said spool and said fabric source, means for displacing said loop between first and second positions, sensing means for sensing the presence or absence of said loop at said first and second positions, drive means for rotating said spool, and control means interposed between said drive means and said sensing means and responsive to said sensing means for controlling the rotation of said spool; said displaceable loop being constituted by a pair of opposing limbs, said means for displacing said loop including an elongate element carried by said loop between the limbs of the latter to maintain the configuration of said loop substantially constant and to exert a downwardly directed force on said loop; said sensing means including first and second switches at said first and second positions respectively, each operatively associated with said displaceable loop for activation and deactivation thereby, and third and fourth switches between which are interposed said first and second switches; said third and fourth switches constituting safety switches and operatively associated with said fabric source for deactivating the latter from producing fabric upon movement of said displaceable loop beyond said first or second positions into operative association with one or the other of said safety switches.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining the displaceable loop in the fabric includes a plurality of guiding surfaces interposed between the fabric and spool, said loop being loosely interposed between said guiding surfaces.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including a further guiding surface, said loop being freely suspended for movement along said further guiding surface.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said further guiding surface is vertically disposed for guiding said loop vertically between said first and second positions.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the extent of said fabric between opposite edges thereof is less than the elongate length of said elongate element such that a portion of said elongate element is exposed, said switches being engageable by the exposed portion of said elongate element.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spool has an axis of rotation, said control means including supporT means for displacing said spool laterally of the axis of rotation thereof to selectively bring the periphery of the spool into and out of engagement with said drive means.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said drive means includes a friction roller and means for rotating the latter, the periphery of the friction roller being engageable by the periphery of the spool.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said support means includes a lever having opposite ends and pivotally supported between the ends thereof, one end of said lever being engageable with the periphery of the spool, and power means for selectively displacing said lever pivotally to bring the periphery of the spool into and out of engagement with said friction roller.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said power means comprises a power cylinder including a displaceable member operatively associated with said lever.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including resilient means connected to said lever and acting on said lever in opposition to said power means.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including a base, said base including opposite end portions, said friction roller being rotatably supported at one end portion of said base, said lever being interposed between said one end portion and the periphery of said spool, the other end portion of said base including a shoulder in constant contact with the periphery of said spool.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second switches are electrically coupled to one another, and wherein said third and fourth switches are electrically coupled to one another.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said fourth safety switch is electrically coupled with said fabric source.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including a fifth switch engageable by said control means for activation thereby and electrically coupled with said first and second switches, said fifth switch acting as an interlock upon activation thereof for controlling the rotation of said spool after deactivation of said first switch by said displaceable loop.
 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said control means includes a solenoid electrically coupled with said first and fifth switches.
 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said first and fifth switches are normally open, and said second, third and fourth switches are normally closed.
 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 including a plurality of spools operatively supported on said base and operatively associated independently with a plurality of fabric producing sources respectively.
 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in combination with the fabric producing source, said source comprising a machine for manufacturing the fabric.
 19. Apparatus for winding a fabric spool, said apparatus comprising drive means, and control means for selectively displacing said spool laterally of the axis of rotation thereof into and out of engagement with said drive means, said control means including a pivotally displaceable lever in contact with the periphery of said spool.
 20. A method of enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric producing source, said method comprising providing a slackened displaceable loop in said fabric between said spool and said fabric source, displacing said displaceable loop between first and second sensing positions, sensing the presence of said displaceable loop at said first or second sensing positions, controlling rotation of said spool in response to the presence of said displaceable loop at said first or second sensing positions, and displacing said spool laterally of the axis of rotation thereof into peripheral contact with a driven friction roller when said loop is at said first sensing position.
 21. Apparatus for enwrapping a spool with fabric issuing from a fabric producing source, said apparatus comprising means for maintaining a slackened displaceable loop in said fabric between said spool and said fabric source, Means for displacing said loop between first and second positions, sensing means for sensing the presence or absence of said loop at said first and second positions, drive means for rotating said spool, and control means interposed between said drive means and said sensing means and responsive to said sensing means for controlling the rotation of said spool; said displaceable loop being constituted by a pair of opposing limbs, said means for displacing said loop including an elongate element carried by said loop between the limbs of the latter to maintain the configuration of said loop substantially constant and to exert a downwardly directed force on said loop, said sensing means including first and second electrical switches at said first and second positions respectively, said elongate element having a longitudinal extend which is greater than the lateral extent of the limbs of said loop so as to partially project axially from said loop and, thereby, have a partially exposed portion; said partially exposed portion of said elongate element being operatively associated with said first and second electrical switches for mechanically activating and deactivating the latter when said elongate element is carried into and out of engagement with said switches by said loop. 